Crews push snow Friday morning in the parking lot of the former A&P site in Pompton Plains, which is still empty after the horrific floods of almost two years ago. The good news for the landlord and quite possibly for the residents in the vicinity of Pompton Plains is that Stop & Shop may be taking over the space formerly occupied by A&P.

The shopping center, which is located at the confluence of Jackson Avenue and Route 23, was the home of a bustling A&P until 3-and-a-half feet of water inundated it during 2011’s Tropical Storm Irene. Although the plaza’s other anchor stores, TJ Maxx and Home Goods, reopened a year later, the grocer, which had already renovated once after a similar flood in March 2010, declined to return. The store has sat empty since.

But according to Hekemian, Stop & Shop signed a deal to move into the vacant building in November, and is aiming for a May opening.

Some flood-prevention measures, such as the purchase of a damming system that may help keep water out during the next event, have been taken in an effort to ensure that the new grocer’s plans don’t meet the same end.

Although Hekemian said that TJ Maxx and Home Goods have done a good job keeping the location afloat financially, the return of a major supermarket to the strip mall will undoubtedly help business.

"It’s very important for the shopping center … It’s obviously been affected by two storms in a very short period of time, and I know the people in the town want the supermarket back in the community," he said.

Mayor Rich Phelan agreed, and said that having a Stop & Shop in Pequannock will provide an amenity that’s been missing for some time.

"People can shop in other areas, but it would be nice if we had the Stop & Shop there [because] it makes life much more convenient for everybody," he said.

Stop & Shop representatives could not be reached for comment by press time.